Open Thread for November 7, 2021

 Posted by at 7:10 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 072021
 

Yesterday the radio opera was Carmen – an opera set in Spain, by a French composer. The Carmen was from Georgia (not ours, the one in Asia.) The Don Jose was from Poland, and the Escamillo from Germany. The performance was done in Vienna, Austria, and the radio station broadcasting it is in Chicago. I suspect Republican heads would explode.

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PoliticusUSA – Adam Schiff Confirms That Trump’s Staff Are Flipping On Him
Quote – When MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell asked if any of the nearly 150 interviews conducted by the 1/6 Committee contained Trump officials, Rep. Schiff answered: They do include people from the former administration. They include people in the private sector. They include people are experts in some of the — for example, the social media issues that we’re investigating. So they run the gamut.
Click through for a little more. Of course he can’t name names at this point.

Crooks and Liars – Rittenhouse Juror Dismissed After Telling Racist Joke
Quote – To make matters worse, the jokester tried to defend himself by claiming that the so-called joke had nothing to do with the current trial, showing how utterly clueless the juror was not only to what the trial was about but to his own inherent racism.
Click through for story, including complete “joke.” I am so glad the bailiff reported him …

Politizoom – Thank You Brandon Trends As October Jobs Report Is So Stellar Not Even Fox News Can Spin It
Quote – Revenge may be best served cold but Crow is a dish that Fox News really does not digest well at any temperature. Be that as it may, they’re eating a lot of it. The October jobs growth exceeded the original prediction of 450K and came in at 531K. People are rejoicing, and right-wing media is not sure quite what to do.
Click through for more detailed good news. If you have no idea how “Brandon” got into this, you can look here (NSFW).

Food for Thought –

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Open Thread for November 6, 2021

 Posted by at 6:51 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 062021
 

Yesterday, another quiet day, thankfully.

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The 19th – A Duchess and a senator go to dinner
Quote – In a furious dash to ensure a universal paid leave policy — however small — makes it into the final version of a care package weaving its way through Congress, the Democratic legislators who have advocated for the policy for years are trying everything — including working with the Duchess of Sussex.
Click through for how this happened. I have nor forgiven Gillibramd, but if this helps get it done, that may help. (Incidentally, SOME people are capable of rising above “I’ve got mine” and work to help others.)

Wonkette – Special Counsel John Durham Arrests Russian Pee Tape Man For TERRIBLE LIES!
Quote – We’re sorry, but does any of that rise to the level of “lied to FBI about secret negotiations with Russian government”? We are just asking, because we are unclear on what the standards are here in Wonderland.
Click through for story. I don’t know what else you’d expect from a “Special Prosecutor” appointed by Bill Barr. Couldn’t (and shouldn’t) he be replaced with a real person?

The Hill – Democrats ramp up filibuster talks after voting rights setback
Quote – After months of trying to give space for bipartisan discussions on election legislation, Democrats are planning internal talks about what, if any, rules changes they’ll be able to get through on their own. Those ideas include smaller shifts on nominations or amendments. But altering the filibuster — particularly when it comes to elections bills — is getting the most attention.
Click through for more – I should bloody well hope the filibuster’s abolishment is getting discussed!

Food for Thought –

Democracy for America and Robert Reich want you to sign (and share) this petition (and I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to.)

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Open Thread for November 5, 2021

 Posted by at 6:42 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 052021
 

Yesterday, my visor extender came, and it is substantial. It’s already a little longer than my visor without any extending – and it has a side extender which I probably won’t be able to extend completely when it’s in the windshield, because it will run into the rear view mirror, but which will be very handy when it’s turned to the side window. In the package were two items which are not what I thought I had ordered, and whch are hard to describe, but which I think I can use to good effect also. So, 9 days ahead of my next visit, I am set.

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Short Takes –

Zuckerberg’s ‘Meta’ Name Already Taken By Anti-Capitalist Org
Quote – “Through art and research, argument, and poetry,” the site says, “mέta (the abbreviation of our Our Center for Postcapitalist Civilization) works to break with a dystopic present to imagine the world anew—to grasp our present historical moment so as to help radical progressive movements find a path from the emergent dismal postcapitalism to one worth fighting, and living, for.”
Click through for story. I can’t find it now, but I’m sure I saw somewhere that mέta applies for trademark protection four months ago. This is important because names are not subject to copyright. Trademarks, on the other hand, are protected at least as strongly as copyrights. So Zuck may have to think again. I ceertainly hope so.

‘That Is Literally Congress’s House’: Judge Skewers Donald Trump’s Argument That Jan. 6 Investigation Lacks Legislative Purpose
Quote – The judge quickly took aim at Trump’s reliance on the Supreme Court’s Mazars decision, which established that lower courts must take into account separation of powers concerns implicated by congressional subpoenas when information related to the president is implicated. Much has changed since that July 2020 decision. Namely, Trump is no longer president.
Click through for more. This is somewhat under everyone’s radar (well, except for Glemm’s radar), but I think worth knowing.

Giuliani investigators home in on 2019 plan to advance Ukraine interests in US
Quote – The high-profile federal criminal investigation of Rudy Giuliani in recent days has zeroed in on evidence that in the spring of 2019 three Ukrainian government prosecutors agreed to award contracts, valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, to Giuliani and two other American attorneys as a way to gain political and personal influence with the Trump administration.
Click through for somewhat mealy-mouthed details. Subtitle: “Prosecutors believe Giuliani and two others may have violated law over agreement that would have seen them win lucrative contracts” Gee, ya think?

Food for Thought –

 

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Open Thread for November 4, 2021

 Posted by at 7:12 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 042021
 

Yesterday, I overslept a biy – still tired from the day before. So I kind of took my time – and worked some on a new portrait doll. Otherwise, a quiet day.

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The Daily Beast – Florida Trio Accused of Smuggling Guns to ‘400 Mawozo’ Gang in Haiti
Quote – Three Florida residents are facing federal charges for allegedly smuggling firearms from South Florida to leaders of Haiti’s notorious 400 Mawozo gang, recently accused of kidnapping at least 17 American and Canadian missionaries last month near Port-au-Prince.
Click through for the exact charges. Who did they think they were, the CIA?

Law & Crime – Woman Pointed Gun at 7-Year-Old Child Who Was Trick-or-Treating: Deputies
Quote – According to authorities, Bradford was yelling at nearby trick-or-treaters. Deputies did not explain how this escalated to her pointing a gun at the 7-year-old, or specify why she was mad in the first place, but that is what they alleged she did.
Click through for mugshot. There’s not much detail but the quote was so Dunning-Kruger I couldn’t resist.

Crooks and Liars – Everyone Is Watching Sir David Attenborough Today And You Should Too
Quote – The problem often feels too big for one person to understand, let alone make a difference in solving it. But Sir David Attenborough makes it EASY to understand…. I watched it this morning and feel BETTER and better informed on the topic of climate change than I ever have before. I hope you do, too.
Click through for video and full accurate transcript. We really need this.

Food for Thought –

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Open Thread for November 3, 2021

 Posted by at 6:48 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 032021
 

Yesterday, my grocery delivery came – including not only substitutions but missing items. I have no idea what I was actually charged for. They have a feedback option, but you can’t make any personal comments – and you can report missing items, or you can report substitutions, but not both. Fortunately there is a “contact us” form on the website. These people do not seem to be aware that if they substitute something I am allergic to for something I ordered, and I have a serious reaction, they would be legally liable for damages. I sugeested they speak with their lawyer. (And I never place a food ordeer without finding and checking or unchecking, however it’s worded, the appropriate box to specify “no substitutions.” Even if that requires multiple browsers.) Grrrr. OK, end of rant today.

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Crooks and Liars – QAnon Voting Clerk Suspected Of Stealing Voting Equipment
Quote – That prompted Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to revoke Scott’s ability to run the upcoming election, putting Hillsdale County Clerk Marney Kast, a fellow Republican, in her place. But when Kast and her team arrived in Adams Township to inspect the voting equipment, they found a surprise. During the inspection, officials discovered that the voting machine’s tablet—a key part of its operations—was gone. Michigan State Police launched an investigation Thursday to uncover who took the tablet.
Click through – We had one in Colorado who has been stripped of her powers regarding elections (best we can do, she was elected). Now Michigan has one. How many more?

New York Times – Florida Bars State Professors From Testifying in Voting Rights Case
Quote – Three University of Florida professors have been barred from assisting plaintiffs in a lawsuit to overturn the state’s new law restricting voting rights, lawyers said in a federal court filing on Friday. The ban is an extraordinary limit on speech that raises questions of academic freedom and First Amendment rights. University officials told the three that because the school was a state institution, participating in a lawsuit against the state “is adverse to U.F.’s interests” and could not be permitted.
Click through for full story. Should you want to share, don’t cut the URL – it’s in all that garbage that thr NYT knows it’s been paid for – by a subscriber who also posts on DU.

The Daily Beast – Jan. 6 Organizers Are Raking It In With Trump and GOP Groups
Quote – A review of public financial disclosures shows that multiple entities involved in the Jan. 6 rallies have continued to rake it in after the attack on the U.S. Capitol, with various Republicans and GOP groups continuing to give these entities business even as investigators look into their roles with the insurrection. Public records also show a number of curious payments on and around Jan. 6—including more than $25,000 in advertising that Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) paid to right-wing social media platform Parler, with one transaction on the day of the riot.
Click through for details. Follow the money.

Food for Thought –

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Open Thread for November 2, 2021

 Posted by at 7:16 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 022021
 

Yesterday, I finally felt rested.  I looked at some catalogs – one was the company whose catalog helped save my vision Saturday – I figured I owed them a look.  One was a yarn/needlecraft supply company. I also placed a grocery delivery order for today.  So there may be gaps in my responding to your comments (which I am the only one who will notice, most likely.).

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The Guardian – Republican Adam Kinzinger: I’ll fight Trumpism ‘cancer’ outside Congress
Quote – But he said a stronger push to retire had come from the direction of his party under Trump. “It’s sitting back and saying, ‘OK, what happens if I win again? I go back, probably Republicans will probably be in the majority. I’m going to be fighting even harder … and I haven’t seen any momentum in the party to move away from lies and towards truth.”
Click through. This is a pity, and if it lets a Trumpublican into Congress, t’s more than a pity. But at least he is not going away completely.

Democratic Underground – Matt Gaetz talks about blowing up the metal detectors in the House with Tannerite or C4
Quote – [Matt Gaetz Tweet] If you can’t fantasize about blowing up useless metal detectors with @laurenboebert at a Florida Halloween political rally for @AnthonySabatini, when can you?
Click through for more info on tannerite and C4.  Hey, Matt – how about “NEVER!!”?

Talking Points Memo – The Most Damning Jan 6th Revelation Yet
Quote – As I have noted in other recent posts, much of the recent ‘news’ about the insurrection has not been terribly new. It’s repackaged versions of things we knew or additional evidence and detail. This story published last night in the Post is one of the biggest revelations I’ve seen to date. John Eastman is the Federalist Society right wing law professor who wrote up the legal gloss for the President’s coup plot. It created the connective tissue joining the coup plot within the government with the paramilitary violence that broke out on Capitol Hill on January 6th.
Click through for details. It’s not surprising – it’s not all that much farther down the rabbit hole – but it does come with “receipts.”

Food for Thought –

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Open Thread for November 1, 2021

 Posted by at 7:01 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 012021
 

Yesterday was the first day of COP-26. Having been to a conference or two in my life, I am assuming that means today is the first full day of it. So I am trying to feature climate. You may have noticed we all are. Speaking of which, it was overcast and wet here. Since it was, and it’s expected to stay wet for at least a few days, I pushed myself to go out and put down some iris food. And to being the trash/recyclable carts to where they live. And to deal with the mail from the car and the mailbox (most of which went straight to recycle.) Incidentally it was also cold with a high of 36°F.

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Crooks and Liars – Toni Morrison’s 1998 Interview Speaks To ‘GOP Mom’
Quote – Youngkin tweeted a campaign video on Monday that featured the outrage of Laura Murphy, a white mom who years earlier tried to get Morrison’s classic novel, Beloved, banned from her son’s Advanced Placement English curriculum.
Click through – in case you mised Youngkin’s incendiary Tweet (recalling the infamous “Willie Horton” ad), it’s there. Sigh.

Reuters – G20 offers little new on climate, leaving uphill task for COP26
Quote – Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who chaired the Rome gathering, hailed the final accord, saying that for the first time all G20 states had agreed on the importance of capping global warming at the 1.5 degrees Celsius level that scientists say is vital to avoid disaster. “We made sure that our dreams are not only alive but they are progressing,” Draghi told a closing news conference, brushing off criticism from environmentalists that the G20 had not gone nearly far enough to resolve the crisis.
Click through for details.

AP News – ‘Last, best hope:’ Leaders launch crucial UN climate summit
Quote – Government leaders face two choices in Glasgow, Patricia Espinosa, head of the U.N. climate office, declared at the summit’s opening: They can sharply cut greenhouse gas emissions and help communities and countries survive what is becoming a hotter, harsher world, Espinosa said. “Or we accept that humanity faces a bleak future on this planet. It is for these reasons and more that we must make progress here in Glasgow. We must make it a success.”
Click through for more. If only today’s lead (right after Glenn) video would come true.)

Food for Thought –

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Open Thread for October 31, 2021

 Posted by at 6:39 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Oct 312021
 

Yesterday, I saw Virgil, and we had a good visit. I left about a half hour before closing, being concerned about the light. This was probably the last time until March I will be able to stay even close to the full time allowed – within two weeks we will be back on Standard time, and I will be checking the online almanac every visit, aiming to depart between 2 and 2 and a half hours before sunset – whatever it is that day. I can manage driving in what they call “civil twilight,” but what they call “nautical twilight” is too dark for me to feel safe.However, even for a while before the Solstice, sunset starts getting a littl later each day insead of a little earlier, and after the solstice for a while sunrise heeps getting later – giving sunset a boost on being later. So that will help. I can’t really plan departure times ahead – I just need to check every time I visit. I already said in a quick comment that Virgil returns all greeting with thanks, but I don’t think it will hurt to repeat it.

Cartoon – Scary enough for ya?)

Short Takes –

Huff Post – Buckingham Palace: Queen Elizabeth Should ‘Rest For At Least The Next Two Weeks’
Quote – The monarch returned to work ― albeit virtually ― on Tuesday, and took part in her first scheduled engagements since hosting a reception for the Global Investment Summit at Windsor Castle on Oct. 19. But later that day, Buckingham Palace announced that the queen wouldn’t attend a reception for the United Nations climate change conference, called COP26, in Glasgow on Nov. 1. The palace said that she would instead pre-record a video message for attendees.
Click through if you care to. I care because I’m a long-ish married person myself (about half as long as she was, but I started later.) I startted to worry about her when I heard of Philip’s death. Of course, the fact that she has a very imposrtant (and very visible) job complicates things. She is married to the nation also.

Democratic Underground – Biden, other G-20 world leaders formally endorse groundbreaking global corporate minimum tax
Quote – President Biden and the other national leaders gathered for the Group of 20 summit formally endorsed a new global minimum tax on Saturday, capping months of negotiations over the groundbreaking tax accord. The new global minimum tax of 15 percent aims to reverse the decades-long decline in tax rates on corporations across the world, a trend experts say has deprived governments of revenue to fund social spending programs.
Click through – it’s a combination of a Washington Post article and a Reuters article. Nice of BumRushDaShow to post them together for us.

Truthout – Minneapolis Set to Vote on Dissolving Police Department
Quote – Currently, state law requires licensed police officers to perform certain duties, and the charter amendment would not change current labor contracts with police, according to a city memo. Still, Question 2 could allow Minneapolis to replace police with other public safety professionals over time and reinvest resources back into neighborhoods, a process [Sheila] Nezhad [a mayoral candidate] said must involve high levels of community input.
Click through for story. Truthout can be crazy radical, but this appears to be straight reporting, not opinion, just information on a race worth watching.

Food for Thought –

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